Apple readying 4.6 inch Retina Display? [Report]

A report has surfaced this evening which suggests Apple has already committed to a 4.6 inch Retina Display for the next generation iPhone. Reuters is reporting that the device will use a 4.6 inch Retina Display and will be ready during Q2 of this year. They say Apple has already begun placing orders for the display, which would be over 1 inch increase in size from the current 3.5 inch display.

A source has told iLounge the following regarding the upcoming iPhone;

Our source says that the next-generation iPhone will not look like the teardrop-shaped version that was widely rumored for release in 2011. We’ve been told that the device will have a 4-inch display and will be 8mm longer than before, with a metal casing (probably aluminum). It is on track to be introduced in summer of 2012, and is still in the engineering phase, not early production. We suspect that poor battery life doomed the prior prototype version, and that this one is being built with LTE-ready battery drain in mind.

That same source was spot on when they reported the new iPad would be “approximately 0.7mm thicker” than the iPad 2. iPhone users have longed for a larger display and for many, it’s been what’s kept them from purchasing an iPhone. Since it’s inception in 2007, the iPhone has used a 3.5 inch display over 5 generations of devices. Competing manufacturers such as Samsung have pushed the envelope on display sizes with the Galaxy Note, a 5.3 inch display, and their Galaxy S II series sporting 4.5 inch displays. Although it’s unlikely that Apple will make a huge jump from 3.5 inches to 4.6, it’s very likely and widely accepted that they will use 4 inch displays.

Rumors have been scant on the next generation iPhone, but it’s likely to have a larger screen, an updated operating system (possibly iOS 6), an upgraded processor, and revamped hardware design.